The pilot in tailwheel-equipped Taylorcraft BC12 reported that he tied a rope to the tail of his airplane and hand-propped the airplane at the airport in Yerington, Nevada.
The engine started and “the rope snapped,” the pilot told investigators. The unmanned airplane then ran into a chain-link fence, sustaining substantial damage to the right aileron.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to properly secure the airplane before hand propping it, which resulted in the unmanned airplane moving and colliding with a fence.
This June 2019 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Quite right You’re indeed, Mr. Jim Macklin
“the rope snapped” is that a good reason why hand-propping is a bad idea?
A pilot alone with no starter or help must be very careful.
Throttle at low idle. Use a tested rope or chain to tie the plane.
Tailwheel planes present the prop at a good angle. But an airplane with a starter has the prop attached at a different position in relation to the compression stroke. Impulse couplings or shower of sparks work differently.
A hot mag can kill you.
Get instruction for your airplane. Have solid footing and shoes.
Smart pilot will find a qualified person [pilot or A&P] to sit in pilot seat if they won’t do the propping.